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Pneumonia Recovery

Hi, my name if fred. After a month of different type of antibiotics for pnuemonia, I finally got the right one (Levaquin) which cleared my lungs and got permission to begin exercising (slowly) last Monday. Has anyone experienced recovery from pneumonia and what I can expect during the recovery period? I have an anxiety problem and I can't tell if my current symptoms of fatigue, dizziness, weakness are normal recovery symptoms or are they a product of my anxiety?

I know this is a broad question that has a lot of variables. I have just been sick longer and harder than at any other time in my life. I can't remember being well.

Hope to here from You!
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Avatar universal
I have had several bouts of bacterial Pneumonia- the first was not severe, the second case a year ago was bilateral Pneumonia and severe that left scarring and yet again right now I have another bout  of Pneumonia. With the severe Pneumonia I had a year ago the first dr didn't believe me and critical time was lost as I had to find another dr who would take me seriously. It took Drs 4 rounds of antiobtiocs before they got the right one Doxy and by that time it had progressed to a severe case. So in your case the fact it took so long for them to get the right antibiotic means that the infection is not adequately treated until they get the right antibiotic and that only adds to severity and duration of it. I have learned now to insist GPs run swabs and bloods until they identify the bacteria or virus (or in my latest case I had Mycoplasma Pneumonie and Influenza A). Lastly the best recovery tip I can share is walking in nature. When I could barely walk I rebuilt my lung capacity starting with one block a day. This has been the very best way for me to recover as well as maintaining a regular meditation practice which promotes deep breathing (but it could equally be yoga or a martial art as they both also work with breath). I also took Reishi and Cordecypt Mushrooms once I finished medical treatment and it helped clear up the gunk in my lungs and rebuild immunity. Finally, getting to the root cause of why we get pneumonia is important. Now I have had my third bout of Pneumonia Drs are telling me they suspect an immune condition. This is something to keep in mind if it becomes recurrent but i sincerely hope for you that it does not.
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Thank you for this incredibly inciteful and timely information.  We appreciate it. Please let us know how you are doing and we encourage you especially with this ongoing situation to isolate socially to protect yourself at this time.  We wish you the best.
Avatar universal
I have had several bouts of bacterial Pneumonia- the first was not severe, the second case a year ago was bilateral Pneumonia and severe that left scarring and yet again right now I have another bout  of Pneumonia. With the severe Pneumonia I had a year ago the first dr didn't believe me and critical time was lost as I had to find another dr who would take me seriously. It took Drs 4 rounds of antiobtiocs before they got the right one Doxy and by that time it had progressed to a severe case. So in your case the fact it took so long for them to get the right antibiotic means that the infection is not adequately treated until they get the right antibiotic and that only adds to severity and duration of it. I have learned now to insist GPs run swabs and bloods until they identify the bacteria or virus (or in my latest case I had Mycoplasma Pneumonie and Influenza A). Lastly the best recovery tip I can share is walking in nature. When I could barely walk I rebuilt my lung capacity starting with one block a day. This has been the very best way for me to recover as well as maintaining a regular meditation practice which promotes deep breathing (but it could equally be yoga or a martial art as they both also work with breath). I also took Reishi and Cordecypt Mushrooms once I finished medical treatment and it helped clear up the gunk in my lungs and rebuild immunity. Finally, getting to the root cause of why we get pneumonia is important. Now I have had my third bout of Pneumonia Drs are telling me they suspect an immune condition. This is something to keep in mind if it becomes recurrent but i sincerely hope for you that it does not.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Bro i feel your pain i think i have your exact same sumptuous but i think its axiety i have bacterial pneumonia and am in my 8th day and still feel fatique weekness and dizzynessssssss i just feel like am gonna faint just wanna stay laying down i think its all mental they had prescribed me levaquin but didnt work on me i got a rash with that so now am on a different antibiotic hopefully it works i just feel hopeless bro drain and dizzy but i know God is big and he wouldnt give us something we couldnt handle!!
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Avatar universal
My time line, nick299, was like this :

So first my experience of pneumonia :
I am 63 years of age and I have lived an active life style and I have been an active sportsman all my life and been doubly fortunate that I have never had a day's illness before I contracted pneumonia on 12th August this year.
And so I was then very feverish for 5 days and antibiotics dealt with the chest infection but the lungs were showing an 'atypical' response on the X-Rays, but gradually the immune system dealt with the invading bacteria.

I never suffered with a cough, either productive or unproductive, and my worst symptoms were loss of energy, loss of appetite and feverish sweating, day and night.

Then I was off work for a month until the  start of October and gradually my body's immune system has fought off the illness and the hospital only see me now on a routine basis for check ups.

Luckily I am now working part time, and alternate days, as I need a full day to recover after any physical activity.

But now in early November, three months after I contracted the illness, I am still physically weak and 'wiped out's by a day at work, and still suffer chronic fatigue and so sleep long hours.

Disappointing but I feel I am one of the lucky ones and so must 'manage' my body and be 'sensible' about how much I can do when I am at the gym, etc

Hope this helps.
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Avatar universal
I got dianosed with pnemonia on 1-02 but im still feeling fatigue and getting headaches. Do you think i need more time to recover?
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Avatar universal
An addendum...I know when I get pneumonia - they say it's 'cause of the steroids, that I don't have 'much notice' - I go to bed at night usually feeling great, and wake up in the am nauseated with a fever from 102-104, and I KNOW I have pneumonia...it's just a matter of getting dressed, dragging my daughter out of bed, and having her drive me to the ER.   BTW, 1johnone - is this a reference to first John, chapter 1???

The other mystery - I had NOT had pneumonia since 1970 (well, one bout in 1998), then suddenly...of course, my lungs were deteriorating.  I didn't quit smoking until 2003 (and I started in 1970).  It's just wierd how these have gone - the gaps, why the first one, why almost a year off, then the merry-go-round again?  ::sigh::  oh well!
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Avatar universal
I have had multiple pneumonias over the last few years...and this is the mystery we're trying to solve (medical mystery anyone?).  It all began in 2004, when I had an EGD.  Next day, I became very ill, went to the ER, they kept me overnight, where I spiked a fever.  Within 48 hours, dx was pneumonia with septicemia.  There began a journey that I'm still on...I had repeated pneumonias for 8 months - 1-2 weeks in hosp. per month for 8 months, then a bronchoscopy, an 8 month repreive, another bout over Christmas '05 (new hospital, new doc), another bronch in 2006 and over a year's reprieve.  Then, as mysteriously as it left, it started again - spring of 07, skipped the summer, then hit in the fall (x2) then winter (x4) and hit in July.  Why did it start, then stop then start again?  Concensus seems to be aspirant pneumonia, but if that's so, why not all the time...why a year's gap?  Why not, after a bronch in the spring of '08, I didn't get another reprieve like last time?  (same doc, same washings, etc.).  I have GERD and COPD - and as you all know, both are pretty directly related to each other, as well as sleep apnea, which I also have (and am getting bipap for - hopefully, the constant pressure in and out will prevent or at least reduce reflux.  

Needless to say, with all the pneumonias, and back to back, I haven't truly recovered yet. I luckily had some periods of time (the 8 months, then the 1.5 years) to recover - I DID ask for a rubber suit for christmas to make it easier to bounce back - I didn't get one :/  heheheh.  Seriously, though, it does wipe you out.  Your body is fighting a major infection on top of a rotten immune system (specially if you're on prednisone or steroids of any kind), and compromised lungs...it has to fight mightily and it tires you out!  Go with the flow...gradually work your way back into your daily activities.  I'm finally, after 2 weeks out of the hospital beginning to feel a little bettrer.  I'm courageous enough to dig out my walker and take a walk, though tomorrow I have two doc appts., so will probably be too tired.  I have to really, really pace myself after each bout or I get so tired I'm short of breath big time and end up staying in bed...actually, for a while, one day running = 1-2 days resting.  
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Avatar universal
I was comforted reading your stories.  My recovery from pneumonia is  going on 10 weeks of struggle. After 2 courses of ani-biotics there is still weakness, getting winded, and occasional tightness of the chest. I do worry about really getting well even though it is coming little by little.

I am with you on getting away from a "sick" mind.  I have to get away from lying around and "thinking about my physical condition, get busy with life as best I can.

Thanks for sharing your experiences on line.  It's a help to others like me.  
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Avatar universal
Oh Lord !  I can relate to the anxiety/panic attacks.  Hard to tell if it's an attack or a symptom of an illness !  Also had pneumonia once. It knocks you on your BU-- & takes a good while to get back to normal. Take it easy & don't overdo but do eat right & exercise gradually.  You'll be ok.  When you have one of those anxiety feelings...call somebody & talk...or go to a store...or visit someone.
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90270 tn?1199334469
LOL John, you are too funny!! You are doing a great job. It seems with each passing day, things are looking better for you.
I went to the mall yesterday as I am officially off of quarantine, it was a welcome change of scenery for me. I got some much needed sneakers and some really cool shirts that were also a bargain (I live for bargains LOL..I actually try to sniff 'em out). Yes I will admit that I was exhausted, I would be lying if I said I wasn't and took it easy today.Still, not bad for a vented gal!  I know when to not push my body too hard and say uncle. PT came today to work on my muscles..I enjoy the sessions as I spend as much time gabbing with the therapist as I do doing the actual exercises.
Well, here's to another good day my friend...Sunny :).
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Avatar universal
I am going to experiment and see if I can write one note without complaining or telling you of my symptoms. Whew, this is hard already. Did a lot yesterday, walked about 4 miles and took Jack for frisbee. Might have overdone it but it was lots of fun to get out of the house. Going out for breakfast this morning, will walk two miles on the treadmill and take Jack for frisbee later in the afternoon. (I'm doing it). Going to try something today and that is not to take a nap. When I nap I...(ooops, caught myself) I will read a book on how dogs heal people. Very interesting. Tomorrow is my first anniversary when my lungs were announced as being clear of pneumonia. Go Lungs!
I did it! Felt good too.
Yes, I will be your friend, Sunny. Anyone who ready my dribble deserves to be more than a friend.
Seize the Day!
fjohn
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90270 tn?1199334469
Hi! Your post is just fine..not even close to being too long or boring :) I guess I felt very very tired and had symptoms like you describe as well. The intermittent fevers with horrible sweats, I would drench my night clothes and bedding to the point of having to change them. My chest did hurt, especially in the area where the pneumonia was. It was a dull, intermittent ache that got worse with coughing. My appetite plunged and yes, I had nausea as well and at times vomiting, I just wanted to sleep too, didn't want to do a damned thing. I coughed up what seemed like my lungs at times and I definitely had more mucous which was discolored and did smell. Oh, I also get headaches with them. I have had pneumonia so much that I can actually tell the doc that I have it and could bet my life on it and be right when the xray comes back.
If anything, it does sound like you could easily have another infection and I would see your doctor so that he can examine you...listen to your lungs, check vitals, review your symptoms, etc...If he suspects pneumonia, then he might do a chest xray. A bad case of bronchitis can also make you feel lousy and cause fevers too. Alot of times, I would get a cold or some type of upper respiratory infection first and then get sicker to the point of having either very bad bronchitis or pneumonia. These days, this seems like the norm for me unfortunately.
It is interesting when you say that you have an over reactive "sick" mind due to past experiences and present. I just think it makes you more aware of what could be. I have to admit that sometimes I get crazy whenever I feel like I am coming down with something because of all that I have been through as far as my respiratory issues. If I get even a sniffle, I worry about whether I am going to get full blown pneumonia and wind up back in the hospital. Mind you, I am in the hospital at a minimum of 4 times a year and for weeks at a time, so I guess my feelings are justified in a way. I know I need to relax.
See, now it is my turn to bore you LOL!! Anytime you want to bounce anything off of me...I am a click away. Sunny :)
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Avatar universal
What symptoms led you to believe you had pneumonia the first time?

I was really sick with cold 2 months ago (vomiting the first day, fatigue which I was able to fight through, runny nose, just general ill feeling) and believe I developed sinusitis (I had congested sinus ever since then!).
I then had a suspected chest infection a month ago (lungs and back hurt, more so when lying down, wheezing... though the pain was probably compounded by the fact I was quitting smoking) and was prescribed amoxicillin for 5 days.
Now I got sick again- wheezing first night, nausea first day, a fever on the second night which passed the next day, periods of fatigue/disorientation, chest pain (stabbing pains and dull ache in the first few days, now it's better), coughing, head and body aches (including my teeth today), congestion in sinus and lungs, swollen left gland today and now sneezing and runny nose (sinus seems to be clearing up, but not lungs).

I do have an overactive, "sick" mind (which I'm guessing developed from A. someone close to me dying in an accident when I was very young, B. the fact I do have IBS and random aches and itchiness). I was just wondering if I should really be concerned about pneumonia, or if I'm just over-analysing things???? So sorry about stupidly long and boring post :)
xxx
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90270 tn?1199334469
Hello John! Today I was very tired  probably more from not sleeping...I think my body is forgetting the difference between night and day. Frustrating....but, like I say...this too shall pass. I am glad that your weakness is getting better by the day. It is amazing to see the transformation from weak as a wet dishtowel to finally getting back to normal routines. I am not quite at my normal, physical therapy comes to my home 3 times a week to work with me and I do exercises daily as much as I can tolerate. Being on a vent can make things tricky but I manage. I walk around as much as possible, at least as much as my vent allows me to. It kind of freaks people out when the see me do the stuff I do attatched to the machines that I am on LOL! But, I say if I can still do it, then I will. No machine will tell me otherwise. I pray that tomorrow is even better for you...keep me updated! Sunny :)
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Avatar universal
Good Morning! For us healthy folks, it is going to be a good day. Tired today from all the previous day of exercise (about 3 mile walk) two of them with my dog, Jack which adds another mile if you know what I mean. I'm tired today but not weak, I hate weak.Drink lots of water today Sunny, OK? WE are moving on, better and wiser than before. Let me know how you are doing.

Fjohn
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90270 tn?1199334469
You do have a point...the mind and body connection is very strong. Attitude and outlook have a huge part in recovery and disease process I believe. I have to admit that sometimes I do slip into that "sick personality" you describe, especially if I have been ill for so long and just am frustrated by the whole ordeal or am having a hard time seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I try to remain as optimistic as possible, taking it day by day even hour by hour if necessary. Being in the hospital so much, I have learned to try and be patient with my care and that results don't come overnight.
So yes, I am with you! Sunny :)
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Avatar universal
You know what the key to my recovery is? Could be for you too? We are sick so hard and so long we start believing and when that happens, we develop a sick personality. Dozens of times each day I remind myself to "act like I am a healthy person." Kind of like fooling the body and the brain with an act. Some times it is not easy as the brain and body shoot out all these symptoms that I tend to over-analyze.

Sunny, I think you and I will claim this recovery as one of our life's biggest accomplishments. Are you with me?
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90270 tn?1199334469
I have had pneumonia several times, the last episode put me in the hospital for 3 weeks. One thing is for certain, pneumonia sure knocks the hell out of me...I am very weak, and just have a washed out feeling for quite some time afterwards. I guess it depends on just how severe the infection is...the longer I am lying around due to being so sick, the longer it takes for me to bounce back. What I experience may not what others experience..but from what I have heard, others feel this way as well. It just takes alot out of you to get rid of a serious infection like pneumonia.
I hope that you feel stronger by the day...it does take time, but you will feel better. If you don't start to improve, then it wouldn't hurt to touch base with your doctor.
Sunny
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